Women’s History Month is an annual March celebration that celebrates the efforts and achievements of women throughout history.
In the United States, the month-long celebration began as a week-long event in 1981, when Congress enacted a resolution declaring the second week of March as Women’s History Week.
Congress extended the celebration to a month in 1987, and it has been observed annually since then.
Women’s History Month celebrates the accomplishments of women in a variety of sectors, including science, politics, art, athletics, and many others. It is also an occasion to highlight the ongoing struggle for gender equality and raise awareness about the difficulties that women continue to encounter in many aspects of their lives.
Events and activities are held throughout Women’s History Month to recognize women’s contributions to society and to motivate future generations of women to pursue their aspirations and attain their full potential.
These may include:
- Lectures
- Art exhibits
- Film screenings
- Cultural events
- Educational initiatives
Overall, Women’s History Month is an essential chance to honor the accomplishments and efforts of women, both past and present, while also continuing the struggle for gender equality and women’s rights.
Facts About Women’s History Month
1. “Women’s History Day,” it was a significant predecessor to the eventual founding of Women’s History Month.
On February 28th, 1909, the United States marked the inaugural National Woman’s Day. The Socialist Party of America founded the day to commemorate a 1908 garment workers’ strike in New York, during which women protested against bad working conditions and low salaries.
National Woman’s Day was later held on various dates in different countries before becoming International Women’s Day, which is presently observed on March 8th each year.
While this was not the first “Women’s History Day,” it was a significant predecessor to the eventual founding of Women’s History Month.
2. In 1981, Congress established “Women’s History Week” during the second week of March.
In the United States, Women’s History Month was first acknowledged as a week-long event. In 1981, Congress established “Women’s History Week” during the second week of March.
This week was created to honor the contributions and accomplishments of women throughout history.
The United States Congress passed another resolution in 1987, extending the week-long celebration to a month-long observance known as Women’s History Month.
This was done to devote more time and attention to celebrating women’s achievements and to encourage broader involvement in the celebration.
3. Women’s History Month and is commemorated annually in a number of countries all over the world.
The month of March is designated as Women’s History Month and is commemorated annually in a number of countries all over the world, including the United States of America, Canada, and Australia.
Despite the fact that the particular dates and length of the celebration may differ slightly from one nation to the next, the focus is always on commemorating the accomplishments and efforts of women and encouraging gender equality.
4. The first Women’s History Week commemoration in the United States was started in 1978.
The first Women’s History Week commemoration in the United States was started in 1978 by a school district in Sonoma, California.
A week-long event was organized by the district to promote women’s history and create awareness about the accomplishments of women throughout history. The concept quickly gained traction, and other communities and organizations began to organize similar gatherings.
President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation recognizing the week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week in 1980, and the event was expanded to a month-long observance in 1987, now known as Women’s History Month.
While Women’s History Month originated in California, it has since evolved into a national and international event recognized by individuals all over the world.
5. Each Women’s History Month has a theme.
In the United States, each Women’s History Month has a theme that focuses on a different aspect of women’s history and contributions.
The subject was chosen by the National Women’s History Alliance, a U.S.-based group dedicated to promoting and honoring women’s achievements.
The subject is usually announced ahead of Women’s History Month and serves as a framework for events and activities that will take place during the month.
Each year, the theme for Women’s History Month is chosen to represent current events or relevant issues affecting women.
The subject for Women’s History Month in 2022, for example, is “Women’s Health: Celebrating Resilience and Strength,” which focuses on the ways in which women have contributed to breakthroughs in healthcare and public health, as well as the barriers that women experience in accessing appropriate healthcare.
“Valiant Women of the Vote,” “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence,” and “Nevertheless, She Persisted: Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination Against Women” are some of the more recent themes.
6. Every serving President of the United States has issued a Women’s History Month proclamation.
Every serving President of the United States has issued a Women’s History Month proclamation to acknowledge and honor the contributions of women throughout history since 1995.
The proclamation is usually released in early March and emphasizes the significant role that women have played in establishing the world we live in today. In addition, the proclamation may detail specific activities or policies aimed at promoting gender equality and improving women’s rights.
President Bill Clinton established the custom of releasing Women’s History Month proclamations in 1995, when he signed the first official proclamation.
Each following President, including Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden, has kept the tradition.
The proclamations frequently stressed the ongoing struggle for gender equality and women’s rights, and they urged individuals and groups to collaborate in order to promote more possibilities and parity for women.
7. The National Women’s History Project (NWHP) was instrumental in the formation of Women’s History Month.
The National Women’s History Project (NWHP) is a non-profit organization established in the United States that was instrumental in the formation of Women’s History Month.
The NWHP was created in 1980 by a group of women who were worried that women’s historical achievements were being disregarded or ignored.
The purpose of the group is to “write women back into history” by encouraging the study and celebration of women’s accomplishments.
The NWHP played a key role in pressing Congress to establish Women’s History Week in 1981, and then Women’s History Month in 1987.
Women’s History Month and other activities promoting the study and acknowledgement of women’s contributions to history are still being promoted by the organization.
The NWHP maintains a large online database of women’s history resources and hosts a variety of educational activities and events throughout the year.
8. Women’s History Month is observed in October in Canada.
While Women’s History Month is generally observed in March in the United States, it is observed in October in Canada.
Women’s History Heritage Month is a month-long celebration in Canada that recognizes and celebrates the contributions of women to Canadian society.
Women’s History Month has been observed in Canada since 1992, when the Canadian government proclaimed October as Women’s History Month to coincide with the anniversary of the “Persons Case.”
The Persons Case, decided in 1929, was a major court decision that proclaimed women to be “persons” under Canadian law, paving the path for increased political and legal rights for women in Canada.
9. The Women’s History Month Bill proclaimed March as Women’s History Month in the United States.
The Women’s History Month Bill, also known as Public Law 100-9, was a law approved by the United States Congress in 1987 that proclaimed March as Women’s History Month in the United States.
Rep. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland and Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah introduced the legislation, which was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on March 12, 1987.
The Women’s History Month Bill was noteworthy because it highlighted women’s contributions to American history and culture while also encouraging the study and celebration of women’s accomplishments.
The bill also aided in raising awareness of the ongoing fight for gender equality and women’s rights.
10. The United Nations’ officially recognized International Women’s Day in 1975.
Following its foundation in 1945, the United Nations required some time to officially acknowledge International Women’s Day (IWD). The United Nations did not officially recognize IWD until 1975, when the UN proclaimed 1975 as International Women’s Year.
However, it is unclear whether the delay in UN recognition of IWD was directly owing to the day’s link with communist countries.
While the beginnings of International Women’s Day may be traced back to early twentieth-century socialist and communist activities, the day has since evolved into a global occasion observed by individuals of all political stripes.
IWD has always focused on supporting gender equality and women’s rights rather than any particular political viewpoint.
In any case, the United Nations’ official recognition of International Women’s Day in 1975 was a watershed point in the global women’s movement.
It aided in raising awareness about the continuous struggle for gender equality and women’s rights, as well as providing a platform for women all over the world to share ideas, celebrate accomplishments, and push for change.